Hitler's Forgotten Secret Weapon by Leonard James

Author:Leonard James [James, Leonard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bretwalda Books
Published: 2011-05-16T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

Eagle Day

The Battle of Britain was now really gathering pace as Goering sought to destroy the RAF in two weeks of furious acton, starting on 13 August — a date he dubbed Adler Tag (Eagle Day). Vast formations of German bombers and fighters came over in seemingly endless waves.

On 14 August No.43 Squadron was sent up to engage enemy aircraft heading for Folkestone from France. The combat report that appeared in the press three days later had the names of pilots censored out. It read “Squadron engaged enemy aircraft over Folkestone at 12.31 hours. Pilot Officer A leader of Red Section attacked formation of 30 Ju87 (Stuka dive bombers). Fired at one which went down in flames. Fired at one Ju87 which went down in flames. Attacked a Ju87 which broke away. Blue Section engaged fighter escort. Sergeant B fired at Messerschmitt 109 and saw bullets going in and clouds of smoke pouring from enemy aircraft as it dived into cloud. Sergeant C attacked one of two Messerschmitt 109’s, fired a long burst and enemy aircraft disappeared into cloud emitting smoke. Sergeant D of Green Section got separated from the squadron, fired at a Messerschmitt 110 over Channel, saw enemy aircraft turn on its back and go down smoking. Sergeant D was then attacked by four He113’s and was forced down into field with failed engine and badly wounded left arm. Sergeant D was taken to hospital where he filed combat report and claimed one Heinkel He113 destroyed.”

Because nobody else had seen the He113 go down and no wreck was found, the RAF intelligence officers assumed that either it had limped back to France or had crashed into the Channel. The wounded Sergeant D was awarded a “probable” rather than a “kill”.

On 18 August the He113 Super Fighter appeared in a new role. At 3.30pm a flight of 12 He113 Super Fighters came roaring off the sea at Pegwell Bay in Kent and seconds later were tearing across RAF Manston at heights estimated to be under 20 feet from the ground. They opened fire with machine guns and cannons indiscriminately. Having raced across the airfield, the He113 Super Fighters disappeared back to sea before any retaliatory action could be taken.

The attack had been quick, unexpected and deadly. In all one Hurricane and seven Spitfires had been destroyed. One mechanic had been killed and 15 more injured. Numerous buildings had been riddled with holes, letting in rain and wind where they were least wanted. By itself the attack had not been particularly damaging, but it served to remind everyone that they could not relax for a single moment, keeping RAF personnel on edge and contributing to the tiredness that was beginning to be a real problem.

Reports of the He113 being seen in combat were now coming in thick and fast. Generally they were reported to be flying higher than other fighter escorts. Bf109 fighters might be seen accompanying bombers, or flying just above them, but the high escorts tasked with diving down on unsuspecting RAF fighters were often identified as He113 fighters.

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